10_ScanMag_76_May_2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 06/05/2015 18:18 Page 33
Scan Magazine | Culture Feature | Springeren Martitime
A maritime merry time When a fire devastated part of Aalborg’s maritime museum in 2011, its staff turned the tragic event into an opportunity to transform the traditional museum into a modern, interactive centre of learning. After a year of hard work, Springeren: Maritime Experience Centre reopened its doors in August 2013. Now, visitors of all ages can learn more from traditional exhibits, pirate treasure hunts, exploring a real submarine and even compete in a Limfjord sailing simulator.
meet the crew at the Tall Ships Races festival in August to learn more!
By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Springeren Martitime Experience Centre It is unsurprising that Denmark, consisting of more than 400 islands, has a proud nautical past. From the Viking Age to the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark maintained one of Europe’s mightiest fleets, and Danish commercial shipping is still world-renowned. Denmark’s fourth most populous city, Aalborg, has hosted a bustling shipyard on the Limfjord coast for centuries. When Denmark’s navy retired a fleet of 1960s submarines, Aalborg campaigned tirelessly to save one for posterity and in 1990, the submarine Springeren finally made its new home on Aalborg’s old docks. Today, visitors are free to explore every nook and cranny of the submarine exactly as it was left by its last crew.
The Maritime Experience Centre has expanded to cover an area of 15000m² , leaving plenty of space for younger visitors and canine companions to let imaginations run wild. The emphasis on fun, interactive learning makes Springeren a popular haunt for families, kids’ birthday parties and connoisseurs alike. The centre’s guides, some of whom previously worked on u-boats, bring history alive through their own stories in Scandinavian, English and German, and you may even see Springeren’s model-ship builders in action. The torpedoboat Søbjørnen is also open for exploration, as is a uniform-exhibition, a 1930s shipbroker’s office and much more. Call, visit the website or
Queen Margrethe’s yacht Dannebrog’s crew visited Springeren in 2014.
For more information, please visit: www.en.springeren-maritimt.dk
Contact +45 3527 1520 booking@charlottehaven.com www.charlottehaven.com